Focus group interviewing is widely used by academic and applied researchers. Given the popularity and strengths of this method, it is surprising how rarely focus group interviewing is taught in the undergraduate classroom and how few resources exist to support instructors who wish to train students to use this technique. This article fills the gap…

At the 2007 annual meetings of the American Sociological Association, we presented a workshop entitled "How to do the Scholarship of Teaching." The workshop had three main goals: to introduce participants to the literature on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) and to various SoTL outlets, to guide participants in the process of doing…

In this article I report on the common themes derived from three small-scale qualitative studies that focused on how sociology majors believe they learn our discipline. These studies include a group interview, analysis of content in learning logs, and individual face-to-face interviews. Based on the results of these studies, five types of…

Sociologists have long reflected on what should be taught in sociology. In recent years, the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) has produced several important publications on key principles and learning goals for the introductory course. However, little current work has systematically examined what peer-recognized leaders in the field…

In May of 2000, the American Sociological Association hosted a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning conference at James Madison University. The goal was to create a forum where faculty from across the country could reflect on the role of sociology in the burgeoning new scholarship of teaching and learning. In this article, the author explores the…

This article presents the author's response to the article "The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning--Done by Sociologists: Let's Make That The Sociology of Higher Education" by Chad Hanson. The author says that Hanson points to critical limitations of the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) in sociology, including insufficient attention…

This article presents the author's response to the article "The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning--Done By Sociologists: Let's Make That the Sociology of Higher Education" by Chad Hanson. In this response to Hanson's call for a sociology of higher education (SHE), the author will focus upon two things. First, he will review an idea that kept…

A neglected part of the history of teaching sociology is the history of teaching high school sociology. The American Sociological Association's centennial in 2005 affords sociologists an opportunity to reflect on the teaching of sociology--anywhere and everywhere that it happens. In the spirit of contributing to the history of teaching sociology…

Examines textbooks (n=40), developed for introductory sociology, based on quantity and quality of material pertaining to traditional symbolic interaction ideas. Finds all textbooks discuss at least some of the ideas. Provides empirical study findings with illustrations. Focuses on how materials from symbolic interaction traditions can enhance…

Offers ideas for developing distinct deviance, delinquency, and criminology curricula. Discusses how to reduce theoretical and content overlap, paper assignments, course readings, and departmental issues. Finds overlap and review of basic theories were helpful to students. Recommends deviance, criminology, and delinquency courses be theoretically…

Presents an exercise in which students are required to develop assessment criteria for an introductory sociology class. Notes that students respond positively to being included in the class syllabus design. Describes some logistical concerns and pedagogical constraints of the exercise implementation. (Author/KDR)

Describes a research study about graduate students and the teaching requirements and credentials requested by potential university employers. Cites the American Sociological Association's 1999 Employment Bulletin to highlight the teaching experience requirement and the lack of requested evidence of teaching effectiveness. Finds research oriented…

Discusses a service learning research methods project to engage students in a sociology course. Parsed in four sections: (1) reviews service learning/research and its effect on students and community; (2) provides a detailed project description; (3) discusses student contributions to the organization served; and (4) examines evaluation methods of…

Addresses the problem of constructing a syllabus as a pedagogical tool and an artifact of scholarship. States three scholarly syllabus benefits: (1) provides a picture of research and reflection; (2) has potential to organize, integrate, and direct student learning; and (3) aids teachers in planning classroom activities. (Author/KDR)

Discusses how social gerontologists and researchers attempt to integrate accurate and emphasizing techniques about age related phenomena into their curricula. Focuses on quantitative and critical thinking skills used to manipulate raw data in a class census project. Concludes students were encouraged to use information and facts to make…